Jewelry can be just as expensive to repair as to buy. At a jewelry store, simple repairs to clasps and hinges cost upwards of $30 . There are a number of ways to fix jewelry and care for it so that it will have a long, beautiful life. This article will show you the basics of how to repair jewellery.
1
Assess the damage and material in need of repair. Depending upon the damage, some steps may not apply. Acquire the needed materials at a hobby shop or bead store.
2
Set up your small workshop on a table with ample space and light. Wear reading glasses or use a free-standing magnifying glass, if needed.
3
Position the necklace with the clasp end facing you. Open the jump rings. These are the 2 circles that link each side of the clasp to the chain; each of these rings contains a slit.
4
Hold the jump ring between your fingers. Place 1 set of needle-nosed pliers in your dominant hand, and clamp the pliers on 1 side of the jump ring's slit. The slit should be facing toward the ceiling. Pick up the second set of needle-nosed pliers in your other hand and clamp it on the other side of the slit. Open the slit wider by slowly pulling in opposite directions. Repeat on the other jump ring on the other side of the necklace.
5
Remove both sides of the old clasp if it is damaged. Slip the new jump rings and clasp onto the jump rings. Close gently with pliers, using the method you have just learned. You can use this method to repair clasps and chain links.
1
Assess where the hinge attaches. Save all original parts; they will be used to make a pattern for the new hinge.
2
Use a ball burr to grind off the head of the rivet where the hinge attaches with a wire. Make a divot into the bracelet or necklace, where the hinge is attached. Use a small steel punch to push out the pin. Use the ball burr to make the divot in the other side. You will reattach the new hinge to these divots.
3
Take the old spring to use as your pattern. Count the number of times the coil circles. Take an 8 inch (20.3 cm) piece of guitar string. Coil the guitar string around the pliers according to the number of times the original hinge was coiled. Use a heavy duty wire cutter to trim the excess guitar string. Further shape the coil according to the original hinge. Place it within the bracelet to ensure a good fit.
4
Choose a metal wire that fits through the bracelet's original divot holes. Use a torch to ball the bottom end of the wire. Use a steel block to hammer the wire flat.
5
Assemble the bracelet or necklace, placing the spring inside to make sure the sides fit together. Put the rivet through the coil. Check the coil tension. Cut the string with wire cutters, then hammer the rivet flat on the other side. Polish and buff.
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